How Translite Enterprises rebuilt after devastating fire 

For Michael Turner and his team at Translite Enterprises, 2024 has been a defining year, one that tested their resilience and proved the power of a strong comeback in the face of devastating circumstances. 

A massive fire that broke out in early January could have devastated the decades-old business, but instead, it sparked a story of grit, determination, and an unshakable resolve to rebuild. 

As Turner and his employees worked tirelessly to restore operations, they discovered how strong they could be when faced with tragedy.

Translite Enterprises
Translite Enterprises, a New Jersey-based distributor of bus and motorcoach glass, caught fire on Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo provided by Translite)

“This year, we learned just how capable we are of handling a crisis,” said Turner, founder and president of Translite Enterprises, a New Jersey-based distributor of bus and motorcoach glass. “It wasn’t just about rebuilding a business. It was about preserving relationships we’ve built over 31 years and making sure we didn’t let our customers down.”

‘Nightmare unfolding’

The fire broke out on the morning of Jan. 5. Turner was preparing for another day of work when he received a phone call from his Coach Division Sales Manager, Lee Weissberg, who told him the 25,000-square-foot warehouse, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was engulfed in flames. The four-alarm fire made national headlines, with footage of the billowing smoke and roaring flames airing on major news outlets.

“It was like a nightmare unfolding in real time,” Turner recalled. “I rushed to the scene, but by the time I got there, it was clear that the entire building was going to be lost.”

Translite Enterprises
An aerial view shows the Translite warehouse fire, which burned for 12 hours. (Photo provided by Translite.)

The warehouse contained nearly all of Translite’s inventory – about 90% of the company’s glass, packaging materials, and shipping equipment. The destruction was catastrophic. Translite’s nearby 8,000-square-foot office building was spared, but the damage to the primary facility was so severe that operations halted. 

Rather than dwell on the loss, Turner and his team immediately shifted into survival mode. 

“We knew we couldn’t afford to sit around and wait for the insurance claims to process,” Turner explained. “We had to act fast, or we’d risk losing everything we had worked for over the last three decades.”

Drawing on experience

In those first hours, Turner leaned on hard-earned lessons from the past. In 2012, Translite suffered major flood damage when Hurricane Sandy hit the northeastern United States. Back then, Turner had been advised by his insurance representative to rebuild immediately rather than wait for the insurance settlement, advice that saved the business. Armed with that experience, Turner began making calls to suppliers, placing emergency orders for the materials the company would need to get back on its feet.

Translite Enterprises
Michael Turner

“We couldn’t wait around for help,” Turner said. “We set a hard deadline for ourselves and for our vendors. We told them we needed materials shipped by Jan. 18, and we made a promise to our customers that we’d be back in business by then.”

The timeline was tight, but Turner and his team were determined. The key to Translite’s recovery was clear communication with clients, many of whom relied on Translite’s quick, reliable service to keep their buses operational.

“Our customers are the lifeblood of our business,” Turner emphasized. “We knew that if we didn’t deliver, they’d have to find someone else who could.”

Meanwhile, Translite’s office building, though untouched by the flames, was left without power. The company’s IT specialist helped Turner set up an emergency headquarters in his home, where key employees worked from a makeshift office in his basement.

“It wasn’t ideal, but it allowed us to keep the business running, even when we couldn’t access our office,” Turner said.

While Turner and his team were scrambling to place orders and organize shipments, they received an unexpected act of kindness. A nearby competitor, aware of the fire, reached out to Turner with an offer to sell Translite some of its own inventory to help meet customer demand. It was a gesture that deeply moved Turner.

“In this business, we compete for the same clients, but at the end of the day, we’re all part of the same industry,” Turner said. “That kind of support meant a lot to us during such a difficult time.”

Back in operation

Translite began shipping orders again on Jan. 19, just two weeks after the fire. While the company was still at limited capacity, resuming operations so quickly felt like a remarkable achievement. Turner credits the quick turnaround to his team’s resilience and a company culture that prioritizes creative problem-solving.

“One of our core values is what we call ‘guerrilla warfare,’” Turner explained. “It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the job done, even if it requires unconventional means. That mindset helped us get through those tough weeks after the fire.”

Translite Enterprises
Translite Enterprises’ new leased warehouse is 29,000 square feet, larger than the previous 25,000 square feet. (Photo courtesy of Translite)

In the months that followed, Translite continued to rebuild. Turner and his team worked relentlessly to replenish their inventory, which they estimated lost around $1 million in stock. By April 1, the company had moved into a new, larger home for the business. The new leased warehouse is 29,000 square feet, larger than the previous 25,000 square feet.

The cause of the fire was likely electrical, but investigators didn’t confirm an official cause.

“There’s speculation that the fire was electrical, but due to the enormity of it, we were told there would be no way to confirm the cause through forensics,” Turner said.

His key customers, which include three motorcoach manufacturers, told him they appreciated the quick recovery, and many said they wouldn’t have noticed that a fire had disrupted the operation if they hadn’t been told.

“We had a very strong second and third quarter after the fire,” said Turner. “Our customers know that no matter what happens, we’re on top of things. It’s part of the reason they rely on us.”

Taking precautions

His advice to others is to review insurance policies yearly to make sure they have the correct coverage for catastrophes. 

“It might seem tedious, but growing businesses are at risk of being underinsured. We carry earthquake and terrorism riders, and they’re relatively inexpensive but crucial for catastrophe coverage,” he said.

He also stresses the importance of regular safety inspections, particularly checking hydrant pressure, and having outside companies verify systems such as sprinklers. 

“In our case, hydrant pressure was insufficient during the fire, and water boats from the Arthur Kill (tidal strait) had to be used to help extinguish it,” Turner said. 

Translite
Two weeks after a fire destroyed its inventory, Translite resumed shipping orders.

As 2024 progressed, Translite’s comeback became a symbol of the transportation industry’s resilience. Turner’s ability to navigate the crisis without losing sight of his company’s core values – teamwork, accountability, and doing whatever it takes to serve the customer – proved that even the most devastating challenges can be overcome with the right attitude and swift action.

Turner says he’s grateful for how his team handled the crisis. 

“It wasn’t easy, but we didn’t have the luxury of giving up,” he said. “When something like this happens, you learn a lot about yourself and the people around you. I couldn’t be prouder of how we came together to make sure this company survived.”

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